Question

Transform the given sentence into reported or indirect speech:

Alladin said to the magician, 'What have I done to deserve such a severe punishment?' [Intermediate]

• A. Alladin asked the magician what he had done to deserve such a severe punishment.
• B. Alladin asked the magician what he did to deserve such a severe punishment.
• C. Alladin asked the magician what he was doing to deserve such a severe punishment.
• D. Alladin asked the magician what he has been doing to deserve such a severe punishment.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Alladin asked the magician what he had done to deserve such a severe punishment.

The given sentence is in the present perfect tense. According to the rule, present perfect tense is converted to past perfect tense while converting from direct to reported speech. Hence, "have" changes to "had". Therefore, the right answer is A.